Town gets ready for
Cancer parade

Preparations are well advanced for the annual door-to-door collection organised by the Ballymoney Committee of Cancer Research UK.

The event, which is one of the key fund-raising efforts by the committee, takes place this week and will culminate in the annual parade of bands on August 3.

This year Tullaghans Flute band will lead the parade and members turned up to lend their support at the launch of the initiative in Ballymoney last Tuesday night.

Officials of Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club and the Pre 1950 Vehicle Club will also be present on the night with their impressive display of vintage vehicles.

The cavalcade of cars is one of the highlights of the parade and adds a large number of people to the audience in Ballymoney.

Harry Frizell, chair of Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club, said their members fully supported the Cancer parade.

“It is for an excellent cause and we are more than happy to bring out our members on the night. They know that the committee have raised so much down the years for a cause that is close to many people’s hearts.”

Hugh Shannon from the Pre-1950 club ehcoed the sentiments of Mr. Frizell.

He said: “No one has any problem supporting the Cancer parade. It’s an event that people look forward to.”

Chairman of the Cancer Committee, Mervyn Ferris, has steered the committee for many years and both he and his colleagues are looking forward to the event which will hopefully reap a rich reward from the Ballymoney public.

The parade on August 3 will see bands leave the Showgrounds and parade via Charlotte Street around the main thoroughfares of the town starting at 8 p.m. One of the proudest supporters of the parade is former Mayor of Ballymoney, Mrs. Molly Holmes, and many of the bands stop at her home to provide her with a tune.

Mr Ferris said the collection and parade was now running 56 years and he praised the generosity of the local pubic.

“Despite the difficult times we always enjoy a tremendous response from the public.